The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the federal government for halting the proposed fuel subsidy removal.
Both the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva made the disclosures on Monday at a session with the leadership of the Senate.
The National Secretary of the APC Caretaker/ Extraodinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe in a statement said the action of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was commendable as he noted that it was meant to save Nigerians unnecessary economic agony.
The statement read in part: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomes the Federal Government’s suspension of the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
“Commendably, the Federal Government took into consideration the fact that the removal of subsidy at this time will heighten inflation and cause undue hardship on the citizenry.
Programmes and policies of government are meant to benefit the people. So if the timing of the planned subsidy removal would cause hardship on citizens, then a review was necessary. We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for always putting the welfare and well being of Nigerians first as he has serially displayed in the implementation of programmes and policies of this administration.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
- Why Ogun Tops List Of ‘Yahoo Boys’ In Nigeria ― Governor Abiodun
- I Killed Abducted Five-Year-Old Girl Because She Recognised Me, Says Arrested Kano Teacher
- Buhari, Obama, OBJ, Pope, Others Mourn As Desmond Tutu Dies At 90
“In line with the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the Federal Government is already putting in place measures, particulary boosting our local refining capacities to reduce the country’s reliance on expensive import of refined petroleum products. This will in due course, usher in the eventual and full deregulation of the country’s petroleum sector.
“Finally, the APC commends the cordial and healthy relations between the Executive and the 9th National Assembly which has ensured good governance. Nigerians have been the ultimate beneficiaries as displayed in the positive outcomes of the meeting between Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on the suspension of the planned subsidy removal. “